Director outlines state law changes, planning tasks and budget requests in Hot Springs Planning Commission report

Director Selman delivered the Planning Department report at the Aug. 14 Hot Springs Planning Commission meeting, outlining recent state legislation that alters municipal land-use authority and describing planning projects and budget requests for 2026.

Selman summarized several legislative changes, described planned local work on subdivision standards and a street classification update, and sought the commission's attention to attendance requirements and forthcoming budget items.

Selman told commissioners that state lawmakers made several changes she said would affect local land-use practice. She said the legislature expanded allowances for accessory dwelling units, "enabled municipalities to hire third party inspectors," and passed a measure she referred to as Act 459…